The searing sun hides now in the pinecones,

that challenge each other to grow

and boiling acorns drop to the ground like winter hail.

Virginia-

covers up and hazy car windows morph into obtrusive early fall heat

and perspiration

and know-it-all crows sail as if they own the sky.

Large spiders sneak inside the mudroom

undetected behind bags of cat food

and run during the night.

strange animals snatch birdfeeders even while

car air conditioners still roar.

Never ready for winter and black ice,

summer with black snakes and warm Roanoke River

filled with cans and hooks and Kroger bags.